It seems like every time we turn around, there’s a new crisis to deal with. From major hurricanes to raging wildfires, to natural disasters, our homes are at risk of being damaged. Here in Western North Carolina, we have a pest that can wreak just as much havoc. The Termite. When these guys invade, you need emergency termite treatment in your home. So it is better to be proactive than reactive.
Termites might just be the last thing we need in this series of unfortunate events.
Termites can become even more bothersome if they're not spotted initially and as the damage worsens. You might make some uninformed decisions in a panic, which could only cause the termites to further eat away the house that you built with years of hard work. Do not ignore the problem or DIY your own pest control.
All is not lost, however. In this article, we go over the initial steps residents of Asheville, NC should take right after spotting a termite infestation at work.
Why are termites active in Asheville?
Due to the moderate to heavy climate in the North Carolina region, homes in Asheville and surrounding areas are particularly susceptible to termite attacks. According to stats, one in five homes have or will be infested by termites, in North Carolina.
Our use of Air Conditioning Systems in the USA also contributes to this, especially with so many AC systems dropping water around the home when so many homeowners fail to maintain their systems.
The first thing that you might notice when it comes to identifying termites, is those signs of an infestation such as wings and droppings and, of course, the telltale tubular structures within the structure of your home. When you notice these signs, then it could be too little too late and that will cost you a great deal of money to solve the problem.
How to spot a termite infestation at work?
All termite infestations have a root cause. They all start somewhere, right? As the homeowner, you are responsible for making sure all problem areas are checked and that you have adequate termite control.
Houses in North Carolina are built on damp soil, which is rather appealing to termites. Termites can build entire communities in such conditions and find easy passage into your house. Although some houses are built without basements, termites can still get in by eating the wooden structure holding them together. The reality is that if a food source and conditions are right, they will get in without the right control.
Termites usually thrive in soil, wood, lumber, and trees. Inside the home, however, the places you need to check out include:
1. Wooden Structures: These include any crawl spaces, walls, kitchen cabinetry, and any other wooden structures
2. Check for any droppings or discarded wings: Both of these are great indicators of a termite infestation, especially discarded wings, since termites usually discard them when an infestation matures
3. Mud Tubes: These are the thin, brown lines that you can spot easily on the walls and are made up of soil and wood
Immediate actions you can take to aid in an uphill battle against termites
Once you've figured out where the termites are originating from, it's now time to move into Phase 2 - initiating preemptive strikes to reduce the severity of the infestation. Start a termite control program.
Block Access Routes
So far, we know that termites live in soil, wood, trees, and lumber. Now it's time to use that knowledge and block access to the homes that these things provide. Try to eliminate wood-to-ground contact where possible. You can also further enhance the protection of your house by using termiticides on wood.
Reduce Moisture
The weather in Asheville, Western North Carolina is warm and humid. Add to that the damp soil conditions, and it provides a perfect breeding spot for termites and other pests. One way to reduce the emanating moisture is to ensure that standing water around the house is taken care of. You can also fix moisture problems inside the house (in the crawlspace, for example) by using de-humidifiers
Remove food sources
This one is fairly straightforward. You need to eliminate cellulose materials around the house. These include cotton and linen inside the house. Outside, however, any wood and lumber are also composed of cellulose while it's also present in the soil. So, you need to make sure all of these materials are not present in abundance around the house.
The Importance of your Termite program
It is devastating to find a termite infestation at work, especially if it has significantly progressed to the point where immediate action is required. In the rush, you can take a lot of wrong steps and commit mistakes that you’ll come to regret later on.
In this case, it’s best to leave it to the professionals who have the expertise and equipment to stop the infestation in its tracks. Apex Pest Control has a well-equipped team taking care of Asheville and neighboring regions in the Western North Carolina area.
As a reminder, Asheville North Carolina is one of those areas where there is a high occurrence of termite activity due to the humid environment and damp soil. As part of your termite control program, you should have a regular termite inspection either in pre-construction or post-construction.
Do not hesitate to call us for Asheville Termite Control and in all surrounding areas, you will be glad you did, and it will save you a great deal of heartache in the future. If you get signs of termites in your home, then do not wait until it is too late. If you have built your home, or you are building your home, then call us to get your termite inspection done as soon as possible.
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